William Asch

William Asch, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) and Program Director of the Transplant Nephrology Fellowship Program at Yale School of Medicine. His clinical and research focus centers on solid organ transplantation, particularly kidney transplantation. He established the Transplant Nephrology Fellowship Program, accredited by the American Society of Transplantation. His research includes investigating neurocognitive effects of tacrolimus, leading to a multicenter trial (ABCs Trial), and clinical trials on immune tolerance and BK viremia. He holds leadership roles in professional organizations like the American Society of Transplantation and serves on committees such as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).

Education: MD and PhD from Stony Brook University (2001), BA from Brandeis University (1993). Clinical interests include pre-transplant evaluation, immunosuppression management, and addressing health equity in transplantation. Awards include the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Kidney Foundation.

Research spans drug interactions (e.g., tacrolimus and antivirals), SARS-CoV-2 impact on transplant recipients, and race-specific kidney function metrics. He mentors postdocs and faculty in nephrology and transplantation.

• Key Projects: Investigator-Initiated Research on tacrolimus neurocognitive effects, MDR-101 MLK tolerance trials
• Grants: NIH-funded studies on transplant-related infections and immune tolerance
• Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Stephen & Denise Adams Center for Parkinson’s Disease Research and Yale’s Transplantation Center